Episode 65: Yokohama Synergy

April 27, 2026

The other day, I visited the Stardom event in Yokohama on April 26th to provide commentary for the matches. The venue was packed to capacity, and the atmosphere was incredible.

For Stardom, this Yokohama Arena show at this time of year is their equivalent of NJPW’s January 4th Tokyo Dome show—their biggest event of the year. I could feel the intense energy radiating from President Okada, the entire staff, and of course, all the wrestlers.

When everyone in a company moves as one toward a massive goal, the atmosphere backstage becomes something special. I truly felt that vibe during this visit.

Also, I have to mention the incredible depth of their roster. Led by Saya Kamitani, who has been pulling the promotion forward through both her TV appearances and her performance in the ring, all these charismatic wrestlers showcased their own unique styles of fighting.

While commentating, I found myself thinking, "Hey, New Japan has great wrestlers too, you know!" I felt a mix of jealousy and healthy rivalry. Maybe this is what they call "Synergy." There are many types of synergy, and it feels like "Operational Synergy" and "Organizational Synergy" definitely exist between NJPW and Stardom.

After watching every match of such a fantastic show, the image that stuck with me most was Saya Kamitani in tears after the main event. What were those tears for? Were they tears of frustration from the loss? Tears of relief from the heavy burden of being champion finally being lifted? Or perhaps tears from having fulfilled her duty after a grueling 16-month reign filled with constant media appearances—from early mornings to late nights—and a full-time match schedule?

The new champion, Sayaka Kurara, only has three years of experience, so words like "massive upset" or "giant-killing" came to mind. But then I realized, "Oh! It's that!"

It was a "Rainmaker Shock."

Perhaps that’s why Kamitani’s tears resonated with me so deeply. One of the most fascinating parts of professional wrestling is how the parts that move you change depending on the state of your own heart.

I think I’ll start secretly cheering for Kamitani—or should I say, "Saya-sama"♪